List of Required Documents for Foreigners and Foreign Corporations to Purchase and Register Japan Real Estate
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List of Required Documents for Foreigners and Foreign Corporations to Purchase and Register Japan Real Estate
Generally, in addition to the documents required for regular registration procedures, the following documents will need to be prepared.
※Since required documents vary depending on residence status and location, it is advisable to consult with a judicial scrivener in advance.
1.For Individuals Applying for Japan Property Ownership
Foreigners Living in Japan (Medium- to long-term residence status in Japan)
￮ Resident Record (※1)
￮ Identity Document (Residence Card)
￮ Seal Registration Certificate
￮ Income/Employment Certificate
￮ Affidavit (Notarized Document)
(※1) If a resident record is available in Japan, seal registration is possible, thus enabling the issuance of a seal registration certificate. If the seal and seal registration certificate are not available, an affidavit with a certified signature can be submitted instead.
Foreigners Living Overseas (non-residents in Japan)
￮ Color Copy of Both Sides of Identity Document
￮ Color Copy of Passport
￮ Copy of Family Register (or Equivalent Document from Home
Country or Country of Residence) (※2)
￮ Income/Employment Certificate
￮ Affidavit (Notarized Document) (※3)
￮ Seal Registration Certificate (A signature certificate created by a
Japanese consulate or foreign notary may also be accepted as a
substitute)
￮ Translated Copy of Relevant Parts of the Document (including title, name, address, issue date, validity period, issuing authority, etc.)
(※2) Documents equivalent to a Japanese resident record, issued by the government (including consulates) of the home or residence country (including states or other regions of the home or residence country) are acceptable. Eg., a Taiwanese family register can be used as a resident record equivalent. Documents must clearly state address, name, date of birth, etc., and confirm the identity of the individual. Family registers and seal registration certificates must be translated into Japanese certified by a court, a private notary, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In countries without a family registration system, documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or death certificates may be used.
(※3) Since it is difficult to judge the legality of foreign resident registration certificates, public documents proving the individual's identity and intention, such as seal registration certificates, resident records, family registers, or additional family registers, are required for property ownership transfer registration in Japan. An affidavit notarized by a Japanese consulate, government agency from the home or residence country, notary office, or embassy in Japan can be used instead of Japanese resident records, seal registration certificates, family registers, or company registers for registration applications.
2. For Corporations Applying for Japan Property Ownership
When registering a corporation as the property owner, the following (1) to (3) corporate identification details must be provided as application information. Additionally, for (2) and (3) corporations, supporting documents proving corporate identification details must be provided.
(1) Corporations with Company Number - Company Number document
(2) Foreign Corporations without Company Number - Founding Country Information (Documents proving the address from the founding country government or copies of such documents)
(3) Corporations other than (1) or (2) - Founding Law Information (Information created by a public official in the course of their duties that clarifies the corporation’s name, address, and founding law)
Foreign Corporation (without Japanese Company Number)
￮ Affidavit
￮ Founding Country Proof Information (Copy of company register
issued by the founding country government, original proof
needed)
￮ Proof of Japanese Contact Information (can be an individual or
corporation)
￮ Consent Form from Japanese Contact
￮ a statement explanation which Japanese Contact is not able to
be provided (signed or stamped)
￮ Japanese Translation of Foreign Language Documents
Note: Seal registration certificate attachment is optional.
Foreign Corporation (with Japanese Company Number)
￮ Affidavit
￮ Proof of Company Number (Copy of commercial registration
certificate, etc.)
￮ Proof of Japanese Contact Information
￮ Consent Form from Japanese Contact
￮ a statement explanation which Japanese Contact is not able to
be provided (signed or stamped)
￮ Japanese Translation of Foreign Language Documents
Note: Seal registration certificate attachment is optional.
Note: Roman Alphabet Name Proof Required
Proving the Roman alphabet name are required based on the case.
Medium- to Long-Term Residents: Resident Record (with Roman alphabet name)
Short-Term Residents or Overseas Residents: Passport copy showing the Roman alphabet name
If a resident record or passport is not available, an affidavit with a certified signature stating the Roman alphabet name of the owner and confirming that the owner does not possess a passport must be prepared.
General Information on Required Documents The above lists the general documents needed for registration. Since required documents vary depending on residence status and location, it is essential to consult with a judicial scrivener beforehand.
All information can be viewed on the Ministry of Justice’s website: Ministry of Justice
